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Leicester mull options after Freddie Burns exit from Gloucester is announced

John Westerby

January 15 2014, 12:01am, The Times

Burns, 23, has struggled this season behind a weak Gloucester pack, but his form has also been affected by rumours surrounding his futureTony Marshall/Getty Images

The departure of Freddie Burns from Gloucester next season was duly confirmed, but the fly half’s expected move to Leicester cannot yet be announced. Although Richard Cockerill, director of rugby of the Aviva Premiership champions, spoke of his admiration for Burns yesterday, he said that the club were still looking at other options to replace Toby Flood, who is set to move to Toulouse.

Both Flood and Burns, previously jostling for position behind Owen Farrell in the pecking order of England fly halves, were left out of the squad for the RBS Six Nations Championship, their places taken by George Ford and Stephen Myler. Flood’s omission was the result of his impending move to France, while Burns was dropped because of his poor form, but…